French Premier Urges ECB to Work Toward Spurring Economic Growth

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou

Photographer: Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images 

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called on the European Central Bank to do more to support the economy as his government struggles to contain its budget deficit and address slowing growth.

The premier said France faces the same challenges as the US, but without the strong dollar that he said gives the Federal Reserve the option to create money to fuel “optimism” in the economy.